INDYtoday City Guide Play Banner

Kid-friendly activities in Indianapolis, IN

We’re highlighting the best kid-friendly activities that Indianapolis, IN has to offer — complete with art classes, animal encounters, and outdoor fun.

Exterior of Children's Museum with dinosaur statues

The Children’s Museum is simply bursting with opportunities for kids to learn about dinosaurs.

Photo by INDYtoday team

Table of Contents

We’re not kiddin’ around. From major attractions like The Children’s Museum to hidden gems like the Children’s Maze in White River State Park, there’s something in Naptown for children of all ages. You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 15 kid-friendly activities around the 317.

Funky Bones sculpture in Virginia B. Fairbanks Nature Park

John Green fans will remember “Funky Bones” from “The Fault in Our Stars.”

Photo via @indystreetart

🎨 All about the arts

Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Rd. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
If you have a toddler or preschooler, be sure to bring them to Wee Wonders — a noontime program that encourages kids to sing songs, go on an Art Hunt, and make their own creations. Kids will remember climbing on “Funky Bones” at The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park afterward.

Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67th St. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Spring break camps and special youth and teen classes are offered at this north side art destination off the Monon Trail, including lessons on wheel throwing and how to make key chains and movies. Kids will remember exploring the hallways full of art.

Canal Walk with clear skies

Imagine this scene, but filled with swan boats, kayaks, and gondolas.

Photo via @aquemyrig

🌳 Great outdoors

Canal Walk, downtown
Rent a swan pedal boat or a kayak and paddle your way through downtown with sights like art sculptures and the surrounding tall buildings. Kids will remember playing on the Children’s Maze in White River State Park afterward.

Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W. 56th St.
Hike around 3,900 acres of forest, have a picnic, and stop by one of the several playgrounds. Kids will remember being greeted by some sort of critter when they stop by the Earth Discovery Center.

City Editor Anna petting a goat

Conner Prairie’s Animal Encounters is a great way to interact with farm animals — no matter your age.

Photo by INDYtoday team

🦁 Animal encounters

Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Youth will have the opportunity to “step into the story” at this live history museum and talk to specialists about several different farm animals at Animal Encounters. Kids will remember learning about how much a hog eats every day.

Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Put your little one on the White River Junction Train and let them sit in the splash zone at the dolphin show at this city zoo. Kids will remember feeding the giraffes.

A kids play station at the Eiteljorg

The ground level of the Eiteljorg has a host of kids’ activities to choose from. | Photo by INDYtoday team

🧠 Educational activities

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Visit the largest children’s museum, explore the new Dinosphere exhibit and learn about the day-to-day work of real scientists. Kids will remember riding the carousel and the 3,200 pieces of blown glass in the Fireworks of Glass Chihuly masterpiece.

Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Your littlest ones will enjoy Firefly Landing — a learning space with hands-on activities designed for children 6-years-old and younger. Kids will remember hearing “Back Home Again in Indiana” play from the steam clock by the canal.

Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Discover Western and Native American art and explore diverse perspectives inside and outside of this downtown museum. Kids will remember playing downstairs and visiting Jingle Rails during the winter time.

Bowling alley with 50s design

Take your kids back to the good ol’ days at this Fountain Square bowling spot.

Photo by INDYtoday team

🎢 Thrill-seeking fun

Atomic Bowl, 1105 Prospect St.
Enter the basement of the old Fountain Square Theatre Building for an authentic 1950s duckpin bowling experience. Kids will remember snacking on chicken tenders and curly fries.

Zip City, 6650 Bluff Rd.
Watch your children fly down a zip line and hop on an indoor trampoline in this over 70,000 sqft facility. Kids will remember playing laser tag and hitting the ropes course.

Monon Trail during the day by an apartment building

What’s a walk on the Monon without a stop for ice cream at BRICS or Lick?

Photo by INDYtoday team

🌳 Hit the trails

Monon Trail, downtown to Sheridan
Walk, roll, run, or bike along this over 20-mile trail that used to be an old railroad track. Kids will remember learning to ride their bikes on the trail and stopping by BRICS for a vanilla cone.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail, downtown
Stop and smell the flowers along this path that brings visitors to a number of downtown attractions, like Mass Avenue, the canal, and Lugar Plaza. Kids will remember rolling through on the Pacers Bikeshare bikes.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on stage

It’s never too early to get your kids into music.

Photo by INDYtoday team

🎶 Movin’ and groovin’

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, various locations | 🎟️ Subscriptions available
The Teddy Bear Series presented by the Colts is a great way to educate your kids on the various symphony instruments through engaging stories. Kids will remember hearing the loud sound of a tuba for the first time.

Rhythm! Discovery Center, 127 E. Michigan St., Ste. 600 | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Though it’s closed right now due to flooding, the percussion museum will be reopening early this year to show your kids evolving drum sounds and teach them how drums are made. Kids will remember jamming in the Groove Space with the whole family.

🧃 Be prepared

Shop some of our favorite kid-friendly essentials to keep the whole family happy, hydrated, and ready to make memories.

  • Owala Kids Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler | This tumbler has a spill-resistant straw (yes, that’s a thing) and is top-rack dishwasher safe.
  • Bentgo Kids 5-Compartment Lunch Box | Pack snacks for kids in a popular Bentgo box that’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
  • Nintendo Switch | You just can’t beat a handheld gaming device for keepings kids quiet, happy, and entertained during car rides around town.
  • Hap Tim Travel Backpack | Keep everything in a backpack that’s got good padding on the straps, plenty of compartments, a wide mouth opening, and a rain-resistant exterior.
  • Kids sketch pad | Kids can sketch, take notes, and feel connected to your adventures with a sketchbook meant to inspire creativity.
  • Disposable cameras | Kids will have a ton of fun + stay entertained by taking their own pictures of what they see during your adventures.
  • KeepGoing Travel First Aid Kit for Kids | Be prepared for minor scrapes or bruises that could slow your day down — this kit contains 60 pieces of essential first aid supplies.
  • Sunscreen stick | Have a portable sunscreen stick handy for outdoor adventures.

Ready to visit these local attractions but don’t know where to start? We’ve created this handy map so you can find all of these featured activities.

powered by Proxi

Check out our other Guides
Dining in Indy is always a fresh experience with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
Whether you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or sports fan, these 15 museums in Indy have it all.
This list of volunteer opportunities in Indianapolis, IN includes everything from packing food for Hoosiers in need to fostering pets.
From container homes to adventure forts, central Indiana is full of special places to stay that offer guests a break from traditional motels and hotels.
From the Colts to the Pacers, we’re sharing all details of Indianapolis sports teams.
Check out these 8 hiking trails catered to all skill levels in and around Indianapolis for outdoor adventures.
Craft beer thrives in the Circle City. Find a taproom near you with our guide.
Whether you’re looking for your next leisure read, a book for the whole family, or a thrilling fictional novel, we’ve got a list of books written by local authors in Indy.
Sometimes you get the munchies late at night, so we’re helping out with a list of spots that stay open late around Indianapolis.
Here’s the deal — the flea market and vintage shopping scene is stellar in Indy.
INDYtoday phone
Good news for Indianapolis.
Get the best local news & events sent to your inbox each morning, for free.